What Is Fault Tree Analysis?

October 31, 2022

Fault Tree Analysis Definition

Fault tree analysis (FTA) is a systematic approach that identifies the primary causes of operational and maintenance (O&M) issues. It’s a deductive analysis tool that begins with a general conclusion before working backward to identify potential causes. Maintenance leaders complete this problem-solving exercise using visual representations of cause and effect known as fault tree diagrams.

Operational managers, maintenance directors, and reliability engineers use fault tree analysis to identify potential causes of equipment failures before actual breakdowns occur. FTA improves system reliability, enhances safety, and reduces extraneous costs associated with equipment downtime.

Bell Laboratories first developed the deductive process during the 1960s. The company wanted a reliable method for visually identifying human errors that resulted in equipment failure. Since then, maintenance teams worldwide have embraced FTA to uncover the real causes of asset and system failures.

Using FTA

Fault trees help organizational leaders determine the root causes of equipment failures. The process enhances asset reliability, improves safety, and increases customer satisfaction. The three components of FTA include:

1. Fault Tree Diagram

This flowchart provides a visual framework of events proceeding equipment breakdowns. Organizations draw a series of logical deductions starting with the asset failure and then trace back to the root cause.

2. The Events

Events can refer to the causes of failure, contributors, or failure itself. They include everything that could have or has happened in the chain of actions leading to the breakdown. Events can either be input (i.e., lead to other occurrences) or output (i.e., result from other circumstances).

3. Logic Gates

Logic gates use a Boolean “and/ or” sequence to connect related events. Two input events that lead to an output event are connected using an “and” gate, while single input events that lead to an output event connect using an “or” gate. For instance, a flawed wiring system and a burnt-out light bulb connect with an “and” gate. Alternatively, if only the bulb was bad, an “or” gate is appropriate.

Fault Tree Analysis Example

While FTA follows a standard process, it can range from simple to complex depending on its circumstances. Here’s a simple example:

A mixer at a production facility stops working; the maintenance team initiates FTA to identify the cause of failure. A fault tree diagram reveals the issue could be the result of either mechanical or electrical failure. Further investigations reveal the cause was an electrical failure because of a high current draw caused by an overload.

Below is an example of a blank fault tree diagram:

To begin, write the initial problem in the top rectangle before working through the various events that could have led to it in the subsequent boxes.

Situations for Fault Tree Analysis

Maintenance leaders use fault tree analysis in a variety of situations, including:

Analyzing safety concerns in a facility
Designing and installing new systems
Making modifications to existing systems
Implementing existing system designs in a new environment
Investigating regulatory concerns, such as compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations
Optimizing maintenance costs within an organization

The industries that most commonly use FTA include aviation, transportation, mining, nuclear, software, manufacturing, and chemical production.

The Benefits of FTA

Key benefits that organizations stand to gain from using FTA include:

Considers human errors: Unlike other failure-analysis tools, fault tree analysis factors in human error. This inclusion sheds light on an often overlooked downtime component: standard operating procedures (SOPs) that are not followed.

Analyzes each fault independently: FTA focuses on one weakness at a time. This strategy helps to solve problems in a much more organized manner.

Highlights essential elements that contribute to system failures: Most approaches look to solve the problem and get the systems back up as soon as possible. FTA, on the other hand, looks to go deeper to investigate how each element contributed to the failure.

Despite the advantages provided by fault tree analysis, the problem-solving method isn’t ideal for every team or situation. Situations that are either caused by several corresponding events or related to time delays may not be conducive to fault tree diagramming. Additionally, some organizations may not have team members who have received training in using logic gates and events.

How to Do Fault Tree Analysis

Fault tree analysis follows six steps:

Identify the Failure: Identifying the exact failure is the first task in FTA. To do so, organizations need a precise definition of the problem to narrow down their investigations.
Understand the System: After identifying the problem, it’s essential to collect as much information as possible. This process includes understanding how the system and its components work; whether the failure is mechanical, electrical, or software-related; requirements for changing the system; and system engineers’ input. This helps to figure out how the system was functioning before the failure occurred.
List Potential Causes of the Failure: At this stage, all potential causes of the failure should be listed, and the probability of each causing the failure estimated.
Draw the Fault Tree Diagram: Starting with the failure identified in step 1, organizations should create a fault tree diagram unique to the problem. They can then map out the potential causes of the failure and use the logic gates to connect them until they reach their root cause.
Perform Risk Assessment: Managers should assign each event an individual risk and probability level. Data collection and projection can make this step less complicated. It’s also vital to involve system engineers and operators in this step as they know the systems best.
Mitigate the Risk: After the root cause of the failure is identified, sustainable steps should be taken to mitigate the risk of future occurrences.

Use a CMMS with FTA

FTA provides organizations with easy, scalable, and sustainable ways to deal with asset and system failures. When used effectively, it’s a powerful tool that can help an organization optimize its maintenance costs.

However, FTA will only be effective if the organization can collect accurate data and make smart predictions on a failure’s potential causes. This objective requires organizations to invest adequate resources in the implementation of fault tree analysis. A user-friendly Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) can streamline the data collection process part of Fault-Tree Analysis.

Ready to digitize your maintenance program with MaintainX? It’s free.